Radix Paeoniae lactiflorae is the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Fam. Ranunculaceae). The drug is collected in summer and autumn, washed clean, removed from root stock, the lower part and rootlet, either peeled after boiling in water or boiled after peeling, and dried in the sun.

Water decoction of bai shao was given to mice through gastrogavage for consecutive 5 days, it was found that the phagocytic percentage and phagocytic index were both significantly higher than those of the control group.

Actions on cellular immunity

Water decoction of bai shao could antagonize the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphane on peripheral T lymphocyte in mice and restore it to the normal level.

Actions on humoral immunity

Intraperitoneal injection of total glucosides of paeonia for consecutive 4 days could restore the antibody onload="highlight();" quantity to different degrees which was lowered by cyclophosphane.

Interferon-inducing and anti-viral effects

Total glucosides of paeonia could promote ConA and induce the generation of VIFN, and improve the interferon potency by 1~2 times, having direct anti-viral effect.

bai shao extract could significantly inhibit acute inflammatory edema in rats caused by egg white, and could inhibit hyperplasia in granuloma caused by cotton ball. Total glucosides of paeonia had obvious preventing and treating effects on adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Effects on cardiovascular system

Total glucosides of paeonia could dilate isolated ear blood vessels of rabbit. In vivo tests showed that it could elevate the diastolic pressure in rabbits, increase dp/dtmax, and slow the heart rate.

Effects on blood system

In vitro tests showed that bai shao extract could decrease the wet weight of platelet thrombus and inhibit thrombus formation. Intravenous injection or in vitro paeoniflorin had inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP in rats.

Anti-spasm effect

Paeoniflorin had inhibitory effect on isolated intestinal canal and in vivo gastric movement in Guinea pigs and rats, as well as uterine in rats.

Analgesic effect

Total glucosides of paeonia could dosage-dependently inhibit the writh and hot-plate reaction, and lengthen the latent period of hot-plate in rats, the peak time was 0.5~1 hour.

Temperature-lowering effect

Intraperitoneal injection of total glucosides of paeonia could dosage-dependently lower normal body onload="highlight();" temperature in mice and rats, but had no obvious temperature-lowering effect on normal Guinea pigs and rabbits.

Effects on sleep rhythm

Total glucosides of paeonia could improve the sleep of different functional degree in rats, lengthen slow-wave sleep time in normal rats.

Anoxia tolerance improving effect

Intraperitoneal injection of total glucosides of paeonia could dosage-dependently lengthen the survive time of anoxic mice under normal pressure, as well as under reduced pressure.

Granules consisting of bai shao and gan cao were made according to the proportion of bai shao 21g abd gan cao 16g. Adult: 30g, bid,15g for children under 12 years. Among 81 cases of acute hepatitis with jaundice (45 days as a course of treatment), 72 were cured, 5 improved and 4 ineffective. Among 46 cases of acute hepatitis B with out jaundice (60 days as a course of treatment), 37 were cured, 4 improved and 5 ineffective. Among 14 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis (3~6 months as a course of treatment), 10 were cured, 1 improved, 2 ineffective.